NEW YORK — The long-awaited United Nations report on the conflict in Gaza is strongly critical of both Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups. Both sides are said to have committed war crimes and possible crimes against humanity. The report recommends that Israel start its own investigation into the conflict within three months.
If Israel refuses to comply with this recommendation, the investigators have urged the U.N. Human Rights Council to refer the matter to the International Criminal Court prosecutor within six months. Israel doesn't accept the court's authority, calling the council "a body constantly critical of Israel."
The report also said, though, that the firing of rockets and mortars by armed groups from Gaza at Israeli citizens amounted to serious war crimes and possible crimes against humanity.